Psalm 46:6-11
“He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.” vs. 9
One hundred years ago our country sent hundreds of thousands of troops to Europe to kill Germans in what was called “the war to end all wars.” Since that time scarcely a decade has passed without our involvement in yet another “engagement.” In the process we have become the dominant military power in the world and are even now preparing to accelerate spending that will insure our continuing dominance. Some of our leaders even seem eager for the next opportunity to show off our military might and destroy yet another enemy. In such an atmosphere there is a temptation to glorify war and see it as a means for young men and women to hone leadership skills while serving gallantly on the battlefield. This seems to be especially true for those who have never been to war themselves! The truth is that war has never been a part of God’s plan for humanity. While there are indeed times when wars are necessary to preserve us from a greater evil, they should never be seen as the path to glory for anyone. In reality they cause unbelievable suffering, mostly for the poor and the innocent, and even the lives of the victors are often shattered and damaged. While those who serve in the military on our behalf deserve our honor and respect, those who work for peace are the ones who receive the blessing of our Lord.
Thought for the Day: What is a “just” war?
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